Chapter 17 A broken promise
Lucy spent the entire day at war with herself.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Emily’s terrified face.
Every time she opened them, she saw Lucas pacing the penthouse like a caged predator, furious at the world and terrified of losing her.
By sundown, he’d ordered every Bravata soldier to scour the city.
He’d ripped apart two warehouses.
Interrogated four of Mercer’s men.
But Mercer stayed hidden—like a ghost that watched but didn’t bleed.
And midnight was getting closer.
Lucy stood by the window, staring at the darkening skyline, hands trembling despite how tightly she gripped them.
She couldn’t just stay here, helpless, while Emily suffered because of her.
Lucas came up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Talk to me,” he murmured against her shoulder.
“I can’t just do nothing,” she whispered.
“You’re not,” he insisted. “You’re staying alive.”
Her breath hitched. “Lucas…”
He turned her gently to face him.
“Lucy. I love you.”
It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t soft. It was raw, almost broken.
Her lips parted. She didn’t even have time to respond before he kept going.
“I’m not losing you. Not to him. Not to anyone.”
Her heart stuttered—but something inside her settled, too. She cupped his jaw.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
His eyes widened for a second—just a second—before he crushed her into a kiss that stole every thought, every fear, every doubt.
She kissed him back, fiercely. Desperately.
Because she knew what she had to do.
THE GOODBYE HE DIDN’T SEE
Hours later, Lucas finally fell asleep—exhausted, emotionally wrecked, stretched too thin from the hunt.
Lucy stood over him, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, brushing a hand through his hair.
He wouldn’t let her go if he woke.
He would fight her.
He would chain himself to her if he had to.
So she left a note.
Not long. He wouldn’t read long.
Lucas,
I have to save Emily.
I know you’ll come for me.
Please… don’t hate me.
I love you.
—Lucy
She tucked it under his hand.
Then she walked out the door before she could lose her nerve.
THE EXCHANGE
The abandoned shipyard was colder than she expected. Fog rolled off the water, swallowing sound, swallowing hope.
A single floodlight illuminated the center of the dock.
Emily was tied to a chair in the middle of it.
Bruised. Shaking. Still alive.
Lucy exhaled shakily.
Thank God.
Then Mercer stepped out of the shadows.
Tall. Composed.
Wearing gloves like he was about to perform surgery rather than a negotiation.
“Right on time,” he said smoothly. “You impress me.”
“Let her go,” Lucy demanded.
Mercer tilted his head. “You came alone?”
“I did.”
“Good girl.” He smiled. “But forgive me if I don’t take you at your word.”
He snapped his fingers. Men emerged from behind crates, rifles raised.
Lucy’s stomach clenched—but she kept her voice steady. “I came alone. Like you asked.”
Mercer walked a slow circle around her, studying her like an object he might buy.
“You know, I used to assume you were just brave,” he murmured. “But now I see. You’re self-destructive.”
“Let. Her. Go.”
He smiled wider. “All in good time.”
He reached out and touched a strand of her hair, and Lucy forced herself not to flinch.
“Lucas Bravata will burn this city for you,”
Mercer said. “That makes you useful.”
“I’m not useful to you,” she snapped. “I’m a threat.”
“Exactly.” Mercer leaned in. “So I’m going to break you. And when he finds what’s left, it’ll break him. Two birds.”
Lucy didn’t move. Her voice came out low.
“You’re wrong.”
“Oh?”
“He doesn’t break,” she whispered. “He kills.”
Mercer only laughed.
THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED
“Lucy.”
The voice echoed across the dock.
Every gun whipped around.
Lucy’s heart dropped.
“No…”
Lucas walked out of the fog like death given shape—every step controlled, every muscle coiled.
Behind him, Bravata soldiers fanned out silently, surrounding the shipyard in a precise formation Lucy had never seen.
Lucas’s eyes locked on hers.
And they were fire.
“You really thought I wouldn’t wake up?” he asked softly.
Her breath caught. “Lucas, I—”
“We’ll talk later.”
Mercer smirked. “Mr. Bravata. Arriving exactly as predicted.”
Lucas didn’t even look at him.
He only said one thing:
“Take your hands off her.”
Mercer raised a brow. “Or?”
Lucas smiled.
It wasn’t a nice smile.
It wasn’t meant to be.
“Or I’ll show you what happens to men who touch what’s mine.”
Mercer snapped his fingers.
Guns cocked.
Lucas didn’t flinch.
He stepped in front of Lucy, shielding her with his body.
“Stay behind me,” he murmured.
“Lucas—there’s too many—”
“Lucy.” He glanced at her, eyes burning. “I found you. I’m not losing you.”
And then—
A single shot cracked the air.
And chaos exploded.